Disgraced Wall Street financier Bernard Madoff, the accused mastermind of a $US50 billion ($77 billion) financial fraud, is expected to plead guilty on Thursday to 11 criminal charges that could put him in jail for the rest of his life.

The prosecutor has told US District Judge Denny Chin at a hearing that Madoff could face up to 150 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.

The judge said he would sentence Madoff in several months in the event of a guilty plea.

He has been charged with securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, false statements and perjury among other charges.

Corporate activist Stephen Mayne has compiled a list of the investments the Chinese, Singapore and various Middle East governments have in Australia. They own more than I thought. Will the financial crisis give them an opportunity to buy more?